Crews prepare to demolish site of huge Connecticut fire

Fire erupts from an abandoned factory complex along Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport, Conn., on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.

Fire erupts from an abandoned factory complex along Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport, Conn., on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.

Photo: Christian Abraham — Hearst Connecticut Media

Photo: Christian Abraham — Hearst Connecticut Media

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Fire erupts from an abandoned factory complex along Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport, Conn., on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.

Fire erupts from an abandoned factory complex along Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport, Conn., on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.

Photo: Christian Abraham — Hearst Connecticut Media

Crews prepare to demolish site of huge Connecticut fire

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BRIDGEPORT >> The recent waterfront fire site, the former AGI Rubber factory, will meet its fate in the form of a demolition crew.

Less than 24 hours after a fire engulfed the vacant building factory on Wednesday, a demolition crew was at the site on Thursday.

The crew, from Standard Demolition of Bridgeport, was there after the city submitted an emergency demolition order.

“Due to the fire and safety hazards that currently exist because of the most recent fire (Wednesday), an emergency order for demolition was issued by the Building Department in collaboration with the Bridgeport Fire Department,” city spokeswoman Rowena White said.

Three AGI buildings were previously demolished and the remaining four buildings on the property were scheduled to be demolished at some time this month, White said.

The company had been scheduled to start demolition before Wednesday’s fire, White said.

“It will take Standard Demolition several weeks to bring the buildings down and sort the material for removal from the site,” White said.

The former factory has been the scene of many fires over the years — the most recent occurred Wednesday shortly after 4 p.m.

Hearst Connecticut Media records show the former AGI factory building was the site of at least three fires in 2015, at least two fires in 2014 and at least one fire in 2012.